“Dry eye”: about 13% of Brazilians suffer from this disorder; what is the cause?

Dryness of the eye surface, redness, burning and itching: women may be more affected by the syndrome

Dry eye surface, redness, burning and itching are the most common symptoms of the so-called “Dry Eye Syndrome”. You may not have heard of this dysfunction, but it affects, on average, 13% of the Brazilian population. And, be careful: excessive use of screens (mobile phone, computer) can further compromise eye lubrication.

Who shares data with the Earth is the ophthalmologist and member of the Brazilian Council of Ophthalmology (CBO), Giuliano Veras. He reveals it in an interview women may be more affected by the syndromewhich is related to hormonal problems and some systemic diseases, mainly autoimmune and rheumatological diseases, which tend to increase the likelihood of having dry eye.

“So, this audience needs to be more observant because there’s a lot of association between dry eyes and, for example, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and vasculitis, and all of that can lead to worsening,” she adds.

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A post shared by Oftalmologia Integrada Canoas (@oftalmologiacanoas)

Diagnosis and treatment

The diagnosis of this syndrome is clinical and is made through tests performed by a specialist. In it, the doctor performs tests to assess the level of tear production. Therefore, it is important to maintain a consultation routine.

The treatment is done with the application of “artificial tears”, such as eye drops: «The eye drops help in more than 90% of cases.

In addition to the screens we discussed above, other causes of the condition involve external environmental factors such as wind, smoke, and hot, dry weather, and more internal factors such as air conditioning and fans.

take breaks

As we said above, the use of screens can complicate the eye health of those suffering from the dysfunction. But we know that it is almost impossible to stay away from equipment, which today is mainly used for work.

In this regard, ophthalmologist Giuliano Veras indicates that interval use can be a way out. “People who spend more than an hour in front of a screen should try to take at least a five-minute break. In the case of computers, try to position the monitor more or less in line with the eyes, or a little lower, so that the eyes are more closed. Together, you can use a lubricating solution for every hour of screen use,” he reveals.

Complications

According to the doctor, if the problem is not immediately identified and treated properly, the eye is likely to become drier over time. “We know that tear production in our bodies decreases over time, so if that person doesn’t treat dry eye, there’s a tendency for corneal injury,” he adds. If this dry eye persists, it could end up making the patient’s situation worse.

Patients who smoke also tend to have drier eyes. Warning: Chronic contact lens wearers – those who have been using them for a long time – also tend to have more dry eyes due to the characteristics of the contact lens.

Current habits increase the incidence

Giuliano points out that, with current habits, it is difficult for us to have a person who does not suffer from dry eyes. The person may not even have dry eyes, but they end up developing them using the screens of electronic devices.

The best advice, according to the doctor, is to schedule interval use of screens, use lubricants, and do an ophthalmologic evaluation to find out what type of dry eye this patient is developing. “Suddenly, he has a superficial disease and then he needs to be treated. This can be more comfortable. In the case of those patients who have systemic disease, it is recommended to control the systemic disease, so that they can have more comfort and a better quality of life when the disease has stabilized ”, she concludes.

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A post shared by Dr. Giuliano Veras (@drgiulianoveras)

Source: Terra

Rose

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.